Methods and machine for forming a container from a blank and applying an identification tag

Abstract

A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material includes a frame and an identification tag applicator mounted to the frame. The blank includes a first surface that forms an interior surface of the container and a second surface that forms an exterior surface of the container. The identification tag applicator is configured to apply an identification tag to the first surface of the blank. The machine also includes a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame and located operationally downstream from the identification tag applicator. The mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container. The machine also includes a lift assembly configured to lift the blank having the identification tag adhered thereto towards the mandrel and wrap the blank about the mandrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material, the blank including a first surface that forms an interior surface of the container and a second surface that forms an exterior surface of the container, said machine comprising:
 a frame; 
 an identification tag applicator mounted to the frame, the identification tag applicator being configured to apply an identification tag to the first surface of the blank, wherein the blank includes a glue panel at one end of the blank, an overlap panel at an opposite end of the blank, and a series of side panels and corner panels in an alternating arrangement between the glue panel and the overlap panel, each side panel being connected to an adjacent corner panel by a fold line, wherein the identification tag application is configured to adhere the identification tag to the first surface of the blank defining one of the corner panels of the blank; 
 a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame and located operationally downstream from the identification tag applicator, the mandrel assembly comprising a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container; and 
 a lift assembly configured to lift the blank having the identification tag adhered thereto towards the mandrel and wrap the blank about the mandrel. 
 
     
     
       2. A machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the identification tag is one of a Bluetooth low energy tag and a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
       3. A machine in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a magazine feed section configured to receive the blank at an upstream end of the machine and a transfer assembly located operationally upstream from the identification tag applicator, the transfer assembly being configured to transfer the blank from the magazine feed section to the identification tag applicator. 
     
     
       4. A machine in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive applicator configured to apply an adhesive to one of the first surface and the second surface of the blank, the adhesive applicator being mounted to the frame and located adjacent to the applicator. 
     
     
       5. A machine in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the adhesive applicator is configured to apply an adhesive to the second surface of the blank. 
     
     
       6. A machine in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising a controller configured to control application of the identification tag by the identification tag application and application of the adhesive by the adhesive applicator based on a signal received from a sensor. 
     
     
       7. A machine in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
       8. A machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the identification tag applicator is moveable relative to the blank in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the machine. 
     
     
       9. A machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the identification tag applicator comprises:
 a spool configured to hold a roll of tape including a series of identification tags and a plurality of rollers configured to guide the roll of tape along a tape path; and 
 an application head configured to receive an identification tag selectively removed from the roll of tape and apply the received identification tag to the blank. 
 
     
     
       10. A machine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the application head is vertically moveable between a receiving position, in which the application head receives the identification tag, and an applying position, in which the application head applies the identification tag to the blank. 
     
     
       11. A machine in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the application head is coupled in fluid communication with a vacuum system that applies a suction force to the identification tag when the application head is moved from the receiving position to the applying position. 
     
     
       12. A machine in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the application head is coupled in fluid communication with a pressurize fluid supply that applies a blowing force to the identification tag to apply the identification tag to the blank. 
     
     
       13. A machine in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the application head is configured to apply the identification tag to the blank without the application head directly contacting the blank to facilitate high speed forming of the containers. 
     
     
       14. A method for forming a container from a blank of sheet material, the blank including a first surface that forms an interior surface of the container and a second surface that forms an exterior surface of the container, a machine including a frame, an identification tag applicator mounted to the frame, and a mandrel mounted to the frame and located operationally downstream from the identification tag applicator, the method comprising:
 transferring the blank to the identification tag applicator; 
 
       applying an identification tag to the first surface of the blank using the identification tag applicator,
 wherein the blank includes a glue panel at one end of the blank, an overlap panel at an opposite end of the blank, and a series of side panels and corner panels in an alternating arrangement between the glue panel and the overlap panel, each side panel being connected to an adjacent corner panel by a fold line, wherein the identification tag applicator is configured to adhere the identification tag to the first surface of the blank defining one of the corner panels of the blank; 
 lifting the blank having the identification tag adhered thereto towards the mandrel; and 
 wrapping the blank about the mandrel. 
 
     
     
       15. A method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein applying the identification tag comprises applying one of a Bluetooth low energy tag and a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
       16. A method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein applying the identification tag includes applying the identification tag via a pressurized fluid blowing force. 
     
     
       17. A method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the machine includes an adhesive applicator mounted to the frame and located adjacent to the identification tag applicator, and the method further comprises applying an adhesive to the second surface of the blank using the adhesive applicator. 
     
     
       18. A method in accordance with  claim 17 , further comprising detecting a position of the frame using a sensor and, based on the detected position, controlling application of the adhesive and the identification tag. 
     
     
       19. A method in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising adjusting a position of the identification tag applicator along a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the blank.